10 noteworthy in-house career moves

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the American Red Cross has appointed David Meltzer general counsel, effective Jan. 1. Since 2005, Meltzer has served as head of the organization’s International Services Department; he will continue to lead the department after assuming the GC role. Prior to joining the Red Cross, Meltzer was general counsel and executive vice president of satellite communications company Intelsat.

GreenWorld Restoration named Geoffrey Connor general counsel. Connor previously held several political posts in Texas, serving as assistant commissioner of agriculture, general counsel of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and, from 2003 to 2005, Secretary of State. His private sector experience includes stints at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Jackson Walker.

Ken Siegel joined software-defined networks provider Cyan Inc. as vice president and general counsel. He comes to the company from QuinStreet, an Internet direct marketing company, where he served as senior vice president and general counsel. Siegel has also held general counsel positions at SafeNet, Verigy, Agile Software Corp. and Efficient Networks Inc.

Other In-House Moves

Nick Deeming, the senior vice president, general counsel and assistant corporate secretary of Transocean Ltd., announced that he is retiring from the company, effective immediately. Deeming stepped into the GC spot in 2007. During his tenure, the company has faced several lawsuits related to the explosion of its drilling rig during the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Deeming cited personal reasons for his departure.

Broadcasting company Entercom Communications Corp. announced the retirement of long-time general counsel Jack Donlevie. He joined the company in 1984 as vice president and corporate counsel, and was promoted to his current position in 1989. He will step down as general counsel effective Jan. 1, 2013, but will continue to serve as executive vice president until 2015.

Austin Schlick, the former general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), joined Google Inc. as part of its Washington legal team. Schlick left the FCC in June, after three years as GC. He previously was the chief of litigation for the state of Maryland and an assistant solicitor general.

Marathon Oil Corp. announced that its vice president, general counsel and secretary, Sylvia Kerrigan, will now serve as executive vice president, GC and secretary. Kerrigan joined the company in 1995 as assistant general counsel for litigation, human resources and environmental law, and was named to her current position in 2009.

Preeta Bansal joined HSBC Holdings as global general counsel for litigation and regulatory affairs. Bansal formerly was general counsel and senior policy adviser in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. She began working at the White House in 2009, after spending five years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She previously was solicitor general of New York between 1999 and 2001.

Law Firm News

Christian Hylton joined the law firm of Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Forman, Ferrara & Einiger as a partner. Hylton most recently was acting general counsel of the New York City Council. In his new position, he will help to launch the firm’s land use practice area, which will provide legal counsel in matters such as zoning, rezoning and special permits.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld hired Cynthia Marlette as senior counsel. Marlette most recently was a special counsel at Patton Boggs, where she focused her practice on energy matters. Her prior work experience also includes a stint as the general counsel of the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC).